In This
Issue...

November 2015

It is nearly mid-November
and there is plenty left to
do between exams, papers,
events, and activities. But
break is tantalizingly
close. It is easy to skip
over preparations for being
away for break, but this
time of year is exactly when
extra care should be taken.
As Lt. Matt Sullivan from
the Burlington Police
Department shared recently,
there is a HUGE spike in
reported burglaries after
students return from break.
So in this issue we are
focusing on safety - both of
your stuff and you. Good
luck on finishing up strong,
having a restful break, and
returning to a peaceful
situation when you return.

Leaving for
Break,
Secure Your Apartment

Burglaries and larcenies are
usually crimes of opportunity.
Whether you are going home
during an extended university
break, or are just leaving
town for a couple of days, the
following tips are ways to
increase the security of your
residence:

Make sure all
windows and doors are
locked and close your
curtains and blinds.

Do not hide spare
keys in places outside.

Arrange for a
friend, neighbor whom you
trust, or the landlord to
watch over your house
while you are away.

Take anything of
value home with you. Don’t
leave any valuable items
near windows.

Stop mail and
paper delivery or arrange
for a friend/neighbor to
pick it up daily.

Bring bikes indoors
if you can.

If something happens, call the
Burlington police
(658-2700). If you kept serial numbers in a
property log, you have a
better chance of getting your
stuff back - after last
November break UVM Polices
Services recovered dozens of
bike seats but could not
return them to owners because
few reported the thefts.
Police also track patterns and
may be able to figure out who
is responsible, so even if
you don't get your stuff back
you may prevent future crimes.

Open the doors
below your kitchen sink to
allow warm air to get to
them.

Keep interior doors
open to so there is a
little heat in each room.

Make sure all
windows and doors are
locked and close your
curtains and blinds - this
keeps your home from
prying eyes and also keeps
in more heat.

Make sure the LAST
person to leave the
apartment for break knows
to do all these things.

In
freezing temperatures, it
doesn't take long for things
to go very wrong. If you are
responsible for the damage,
it could cost you thousands
in repairs. Even, if it
isn't your fault, you will
still lose all your damaged
property - another good
reason to get renter's
insurance.

Research then
Give

This
time of year is a time of
thinking of others, so it is
natural that most people
give between now and New
Year's. But it important to
keep a few things in mind if
you want to give. Some
so-called charities give as
little as 0.3% of their
budgets to the causes they
are asking donations for!
Here are some points to keep
in mind:

A random call or
email from a charity can
be a warning flag. Always
check out the charity
online before giving

Give on your own
time - don't let someone
pressure you into giving
during an unsolicited call
or in person.

People in VT love
local, keep it going by
giving to local
non-profits that have a
record of using such money
wisely.

There
are plenty of good guides on
safer giving and charities
that give significantly more
than 0.3% of their
contributions for good. Here is an article that has plenty of great
information on giving to
charities.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend to offer comments regarding these changes.
Written public comments can also be sent by December 1st to: info@cctaride.org or CCTA 15 Industrial Parkway Burlington, VT 05401.